Study: Vioxx Helps Osteoarthritis Patients More Than NSAIDs

Osteoarthritis patients and their physicians are signficiantly more likely to be satisfied with Vioxx® (rofecoxib) than traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), according to a study reported the June issue of Current Medical Research & Opinion.

Researchers from Hospital de Cabuenes in Spain compared patient and physician attitudes to osteoarthritis treatment with Vioxx or traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.

The six-month study involved 562 osteoarthritis patients enrolled at 29 Spanish primary-care centers. Patients remained on established traditional NSAID therapy for the first three months and then switched to Vioxx.

The overall health status of the patients improved significantly with Vioxx and their adherence to it was significantly better than with traditional NSAID treatment. Vioxx was also associated with a significant reduction in discontinuations of treatment because of lack of effectiveness or gastrointestinal side effects.

Compared to traditional NSAIDs, Vioxx was associated with a more than 60 percent reduction in the number of patients experiencing gastrointestinal side effects, while the need for supplemental stomach medications and analgesics declined by 50 percent and 33 percent, respectively.

"Rofecoxib (Vioxx) is a valuable additional medication for relieving the symptoms of osteoarthritis and its use in place of traditional NSAIDs may lead to a reduction in the prescription of concomitant medications," concluded the researchers.

Current Medical Research & Opinion 2003;19(4):288-97